Source: Paul Hakimata "Donald Trump on 5th Avenue in front of Trump Tower in New York City on Aug. 3, 2008," shutterstock.com (accessed Jan. 19, 2017)

On Friday Jan. 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America. As his presidency begins, we look back at his stated positions on key issues raised during his presidential campaign [with sources in brackets]. For additional ProCon.org research on the issues below, please click on the bolded links.

Climate Change – "You look back and they were calling it global cooling and global warming and global everything... I call it weather. Maybe there's a little bit of change, I don't happen to believe it's manmade." [source]

Collaboration with Russia – "I have always felt that Russia and the United States should be able to work well with each other towards defeating terrorism and restoring world peace, not to mention trade and all of the other benefits derived from mutual respect." [source]

Cuba Embargo – "I think it's [easing restrictions on Cuba] fine. I think it's fine, but we should have made a better deal. The concept of opening with Cuba — 50 years is enough — the concept of opening with Cuba is fine." [source]

Fence / Wall along US-Mexico Border – "A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border... Mexico must pay for the wall and, until they do, the United States will, among other things: impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages." [source]

Gay Marriage – "They [the Supreme Court] have ruled on it. I wish that it was done by the state. I don't like the way they ruled. I disagree with the Supreme Court from the standpoint they should have given the state - it should be a states' rights issue. And that's the way it should have been ruled on." [source]

Keystone XL Pipeline – "If I am elected President I will immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline. No impact on environment & lots of jobs for U.S." [source]

Nuclear Deal with Iran – "The Obama Administration's agreement with Iran is very dangerous... This is a bad deal that sets a dangerous precedent. This deal sets off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, which is the most-unstable region in the world." [source]

Obamacare – "As far as Obamacare is concerned... it's a disaster. It is really kicking in... in 16. It is going to be a tremendous negative for the country... So it really does have to be changed... And, ideally, repealed and replaced... I want healthcare for everyone." [source]

Pathway to Legalization– "Our message to the world will be this. You cannot obtain legal status or become a citizen of the United States by illegally entering our country. Can't do it... For those here illegally today, who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and one route only. To return home and apply for reentry like everybody else." [source]

Planned Parenthood Funding – "I'm against it. I'm for defunding Planned Parenthood, very strongly. And that's really become, that's been such a big subject lately, especially when you're looking on television and you're seeing, you know, some of those clips that are terrible—so I'm totally for defunding. We shouldn't be giving to Planned Parenthood." [source]

Racial Profiling – "I think there can be profiling... You have people that have to be tracked. If they're Muslims, they're Muslims. But you have people that have to be tracked... We have to show vigilance. We have to have it. And if we don't, we're foolish people." [source]

Medical Marijuana – "I think medical should happen - right? Don't we agree? I think so. And then I really believe we should leave it up to the states. And of course you have Colorado... but there's a question as to how it's all working out there, you know? That's not going exactly trouble-free. So I really think that we should study Colorado, see what's happening." [source]

Renewable Energy – "There has been a big push to develop alternative forms of energy... from renewable sources. That's a big mistake. To begin with, the whole push for renewable energy is being driven by the wrong motivation, the mistaken belief that global climate change is being caused by carbon emissions. If you don't buy that - and I don't - then what we have is really just an expensive way of making the tree-huggers feel good about themselves." [source]

Syrian Refugees – "We have no idea who these people [Syrian refugees] are, we are the worst when it comes to paperwork... This could be one of the great Trojan horses... We cannot let them into this country, period. Our country has tremendous problems. We can't have another problem." [source]

Torture / Enhanced Interrogation – "[W]e have to be strong. You know, they don't use waterboarding over there. They use chopping off people's heads. They use drowning people… And we're talking about waterboarding. We have to be tough... I would bring it back, yes. I would bring it back. I think waterboarding is peanuts compared to what they do to us." [source]

Trans-Pacific Partnership – "The Trans-Pacific Partnership is an attack on America's business. It does not stop Japan's currency manipulation. This is a bad deal." [source]